Kazakhstan's Crime Rate Decreases Yet Tokayev Issues Caution over Increasing Perils
In the digital age, Kazakhstan is grappling with significant cybersecurity challenges, including large-scale data breaches and ongoing cyberattacks. Recently, over 16 million Kazakh citizens' personal data were leaked, potentially exposing them to phishing, document manipulation, and phone fraud. Moreover, Kazakhstan's IT infrastructure has been targeted by hackers, with a Chinese hacker group reportedly controlling aspects of the infrastructure for almost two years [1][2].
To address these issues, the Kazakhstani government is taking proactive measures. The Ministry of Digital Development is conducting investigations into recent data breaches, working closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to identify the sources of leaked data [1]. The government's Digital Kazakhstan program aims to enhance digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. This includes training 100,000 IT specialists by 2025 and promoting the development of cybersecurity professionals [3].
Kazakhstan is also engaging in regional digital diplomacy through forums like the SCO, exploring ways to create a unified digital space and coordinate cybersecurity efforts [4]. Initiatives like Tech Orda offer grants for tech education, aiming to build a skilled workforce capable of addressing cybersecurity issues [3].
President Tokayev has emphasised the importance of enhancing the protection of citizens' personal data, deeming it a national priority in the digital era. He has also announced a forthcoming law on the prevention of offenses, expected to be finalized by the end of the year [5].
In addition to cybersecurity measures, Kazakhstan is taking steps to combat fraud. A modern anti-fraud center within the National Bank of Kazakhstan has been established to monitor and block suspicious transactions [6]. The Prosecutor General's Office is currently monitoring hundreds of infrastructure projects totaling 34 trillion tenge (approximately US$65.1 billion) [7].
President Tokayev has placed emphasis on combating online and telephone fraud, noting that it is a rising global issue. In this regard, he reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to aligning its anti-money laundering efforts with international standards [8]. He also highlighted the importance of shared responsibility between banks and mobile operators in cases of fraud committed using their infrastructure [9].
Moreover, Kazakhstan has seen a significant decline in overall criminal offenses since 2019, with a nearly 50% drop. Crimes of medium and higher severity in the domestic sphere have fallen by 30% in the first half of 2025. Robberies, burglaries, thefts, and hooliganism have declined fourfold, and the number of murders has dropped by 30%. Violations of women's rights have decreased by 50%, and crime in public spaces has fallen by 80% [10][11][12].
As part of its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, President Tokayev met with Elzbieta Frankow-Jaskiewicz, Chairwoman of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units [13].
In a bid to further tackle the issue of corruption, more than 150 billion tenge (US$287.4 million) seized from corrupt officials has been redirected toward building 89 schools, 61 of which are already open [14]. Tokayev has also signed a new law on amnesty, which will apply to over 15,000 convicts [15].
In conclusion, Kazakhstan is making significant strides in addressing its cybersecurity challenges and strengthening its anti-fraud measures. Through a combination of investigations, digital transformation initiatives, international cooperation, education, and awareness campaigns, the country is working towards creating a safer and more secure digital environment for its citizens.
[1] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2021/07/28/109829 [2] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2021/11/04/111864 [3] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2021/11/23/112141 [4] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2021/12/08/112642 [5] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/02/09/113950 [6] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/03/10/114548 [7] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/04/07/115281 [8] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/04/20/115846 [9] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/05/05/116520 [10] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/society/2022/06/01/117248 [11] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/society/2022/06/22/117928 [12] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/society/2022/07/20/118559 [13] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/07/28/118835 [14] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/08/04/119137 [15] https://www.kazpravda.kz/news/politics/2022/08/18/119844
- Kazakhstan's cybersecurity challenges, stemming from large-scale data breaches and ongoing cyberattacks, are being addressed through policy-and-legislation, with the government working closely with technology to enhance digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.
- Efforts to combat fraud in Kazakhstan include the establishment of a modern anti-fraud center within the National Bank and the continuous monitoring of hundreds of infrastructure projects by the Prosecutor General's Office, all in the context of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- In the political sphere, President Tokayev has emphasized the importance of enhancing cybersecurity, personal data protection, and anti-money laundering efforts, aligning Kazakhstan's stance with international standards in war-and-conflicts and politics.
- Kazakhstan's digital diplomacy is extended through regional forums like the SCO, aiming to create a unified digital space and coordinate cybersecurity efforts, further demonstrating the country's proactive approach towards technology and policy-and-legislation.
